Seniors in English teacher Angeline Stierch’s classes spent two days assembling bagged lunches for residents of homeless shelters in Newark as part of a service-learning project sponsored by Project KIND on Nov. 21 and 22.
“This project is about taking what you’ve learned in class and applying it to the real world,” Stierch said. “It is important to show that even when a problem is really big you can still find ways to help.”
The initiative connected themes from Jeannette Walls’ memoir “The Glass Castle,” which the students had just read, to real-world issues such as food insecurity and homelessness. Inspired by the book, Stierch wanted to show students how small acts of kindness can create meaningful changes.
Students gathered in the Commons to pack the lunches. Each bag included a peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese sandwich, a granola bar, a bottle of water and a handwritten note of encouragement made by the students.
The lunch bags, decorated with colorful designs and uplifting messages, were distributed in Newark by Project KIND, whose volunteers walk the streets to provide meals and emotional support to those in need.
Senior Poema Koliqi voiced that participating in the project was eye-opening. “Reading ‘The Glass Castle’ helped me understand the struggles of food insecurity, but this project allowed me to do something about it,” she said.
This marks the third year that Stierch has organized the service-learning project, which began in 2020. The idea stemmed from her own experiences volunteering with Project KIND alongside her family.
Jenny DePaul, the founder of Project KIND as well as a Rockaway resident, visited RHS to share the organization’s mission and showcase how small, community-driven efforts can make a big difference.
“It means a lot to me because I love giving back to the community and helping those in need,” senior Nick Hart said.
Senior Matt Shortino echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of the initiative. “Making sandwiches for the homeless is a way to show compassion and care for those in need,” he said. “It’s a small yet meaningful act that fosters community and reminds us of the importance of kindness.”
Stierch hopes to continue the project annually and inspire future students to engage in similar efforts. Anybody can help, for more information on how to help, visit the Project KIND website at https://www.projectkind123.org.
